I am an MBA graduate with 6 years of diversified experience in financial industry, including most recently 1.5 years working in big four deals advisory business line and several years in commercial banking product management role previously.

I am struggling with whether I should apply to specific practice (note: I am not talking about specialist role) or generalist role. I am interested in PIPE practice and have seen Mckinsey specifically hiring for this role. However, given that my related work experience with exposure to PIPE practice is just 1.5 years, I'm wondering whether it''s “safer” to apply to a generalist role? My assumption is that they want people with 4-8 years of solid experience in the industry practice and I'm worried that my work experience is not “solid” enough for specific practice. 

I have also heard that HR is the one who decides whether your background fits better within specific practice or generalist. And no matter either roles you apply to, HR will make the judgement call (i.e. if you apply for specific practice and they think you suit better in generalist role, they will ask you to interview generalist role). I'm curious whether this piece of information is accurate or not.

Appreciate if you could provide your advice. Thanks a lot!

(edited)